Wrapping machine



Jan. 5, 1937. M. J. MELMOE} 2,066,414

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 25. 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 IQ; I

" YIIIVVENTOR.

IBIS-.1 v E BY 2 I ATTORNEQS.

Jan. 5, 1937. J MILMQE 2,Q66 ,414

' WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 25 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 ZIO 2| INVENTOR. v I BY WM ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 5, 1937. M. J. wmoE 2,066,414

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 25, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 my a w 78 I FEB? =w 18 INVENTOR.

BY @(Y' 7% A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 5, 1937. M. J. MILMOE 2,066,414

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 25, 1933 l0 Sheets-Sheet 7 ELLE INVENTOR. 7M7WW A TTORNEYS.

Jar 5, 1937.

Filed May 25, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

Jan. 5, 1937.

M. J. MILMOE WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 25, 1953 mam 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 ZZI ZJEB

Prep

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Patented Jan. 5, 1937 PATENT OFFICE WRAPPING MACHINE Michael J.

Milmoe, Glen Ellyn,

111., assignor to F. B. Redington,Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 25, 1933, Serial No. 672,840

31 Claims.

The present invention relates to a wrapping machine for wrapping cylindrical containers or articles. Obviously the invention can be used to wrap articles such as circular cakes of soap or the like, whether or not they are in a container.

The main purpose of this invention is to provide a wrapper for an article or container in which the wrapper which is in the form of a fiat rectangular sheet of paper may be wrapped about the article to form a tube with the ends of the tube extending beyond the-article and then closing the ends of the tube by suitable mechanism which quickly folds the extending portions of the tube in such a manner that the portions after they are folded interlock to prevent the unfolding thereof. I

One object of this invention is to properly center the wrapper with respect to the article being Wrapped in order that portions of g the tube formed, in first folding the wrapper; about the article, will extend equally beyond both ends of the article and for a reason which will/appear hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds,

Another object of this invention is to provide a wrapper for a container of the class described in which a certain amount of economy can be effected due to a saving of the wrapping material. Also an economy is effected by using a square blank which can be cut by the machine into suitable rectangular blanks for each individual container and while the machine is in operation. This mechanism for cutting the blanks into sheets is well known in the art to which this inventioh pertains and is not shown or described herein. It may be assu med that the sheets are fed to the machine by hand from a'suitable stack as far as the operation of the machine is con cerned, except that the wrapping material must other parts. However, I am not claiming in this application any invention in the means for forming or feeding the wrappers and the feeding means for the wrappers is only diagrammatically shown in the drawings. I

Another object of this invention is to provide a compact means for wrapping the container.and

.- 1 Fig. 11 is a plan view of be fed in timed relation to the operation of the lar ends occurs at only one position of the article in its path of travel with the exception of the operation of the creasing devices which merely supplement the action of the fold forming mechamsm.

Another object of this invention will appear 5 hereinafter'as the description thereof proceeds, the novel features, arrangements, and combinations being clearly set forth in the specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational viewlooking from the right in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view with portions thereof broken away for the sake of clearness 20 illustrating the first step in the operation of cen-, tering the wrapper and the beginning of the positioning of the same about the container;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the II/gifts in the position which they occupy a little 25 Fig. 'I is a cross-section taken subtantially along the line 'I'! of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 88 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 9 and 10 show two eration of forming the last about thecontainer;

stages 1n the opportion of the tube the presser member shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line |2 l2 of Fig. 14 showing the means for closing one end of the tube; Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 with the parts in a different position of adjustment; 7 1 4 Fig. 14 is a section taken along the line l4'|4 of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a rear elevational view of the operating means for operating the gripping means on the turret;

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of the means for producing the folds in the end of the tube and illustrates the position of the parts thereof at the time when the folds have been completed;

Fig. 17 is a section taken along the line I 'l-l I of Fig. 18;

Fig. 18 is a section taken along the line .l8-l8 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is an end elevation of the completed package; H

broken away to illustrate the construction of the folds;

Fig. 21 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line 2|-2| of Fig. 4;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the creasing means in one position of adjustment;

Fig. 23-is a side elevational view of the cr'easing means in another position of adjustment;

Fig. 24 is a front elevation of the means for holding the wrapped container'while the creasing means is operating;

Fig. 25 is a partial side view of the machine showing more particularly parts of the end folding mechanism, and Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing more particularly parts of the end folding mechanism.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, it will be noted that the reference character 30 represents the base frame of the machine, and this may be constructed in any ing web portion 3| with rearwardly extending web portions 32 extending rearwardlyfrom all four sides of the web 3|. This base frame supports the inain portions of the machine and on this frame there is mounted a bracket 33 which supports part of the operating mechanism and a bracket 35 which rotatably supports the shaft 35 which has the turret 31 secured thereto. These brackets are best illustrated in Fig. 2, and are carried by the base frame 30. The turret comprises two disk-like members arranged in spaced parallel relation with each other. These disk members are indicated by the reference character 38 and the spacing thereof is best illustrated in Fig. 4. The disks have aligned receiving the articles or package which are of a circular shape and flat at both ends. The package is indicated by the reference character. 40, and the container is indicated by the reference character 4|. In order to hold either the pack age or the container in the turret, I provide the retainers 42, pairs of which are carried by the pivoted arm 43 arranged between the disks 38 and pivoted on a pin 44 which extends into both disks 38. Springs 45 attached at 46 and 4-1 to the retainers 42. and disks 38 respectively, normally tend to rotate the retainers 42 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, but a means is provided for moving these retainers against the action of the springs when. so desired.

I shall designate the various positions for the pockets of the turret as A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. At the position A, the, container with the wrapper partially wrapped there-about is moved into the pocket at that position, and carried to .the position B, and in passing from A to B, the entire tubular wrapper is formed about the container. It then moves to the position C where the ends of the tubular wrapper are closed. Next to the position D where the folds of the wrapper are creased, and then through the positions E and F to the position G, where the completed package is ejected from the turret and caused to move into the .trough 48.

Before proceeding with a description of the successive steps in the operation of this machine, I wish first to describe the means for operating the retainers 42 against the action of the springs \45 and this means this extension carries pivots suitable manner for rigidity, but preferably comprises a fiat upstand pockets 39 for i and 34.

,ner in which the wrapper 50 on which there are pivoted the arms 5| connected by a link 52. Secured to the arms 5| are the projecting releasing members 53 which are adapted to engage the pins 54 projecting from the retainers 42. The arms 5| and link 52 cause the releasing members 53 to move in unison with each other and the releasing members are operated by means of a cam 55 secured to the shaft56, and a lever 51 which is pivoted at 58 and has a roller 58 engaging the cam 55. The lever 51 is connected to one of the releasing members 53 by means of a link 60 pivoted at 5| to the lever 51 and at 52 to and arm 53 which is rigidly connected to that operating member which is shown at the left in Fig. 15. The cam is so constructed that normally the retainers 53 are out of the path of movement of the pins 54, but after the turret has come to rest, the pins are engaged by the releasing members 53 by a clockwise movement thereof as viewed in Fig. 1 or acounter-clockwise movement as viewed in Fig. 15. This results in releasing the retaining members 42 to permit a container to be moved into a pocket A together with the wrapper therefor, and also to permit the package 40 to be moved into the trough 48 without being retarded by the retaining members which might otherwise tear the wrapper or otherwise interfere with the operation of inserting a container into or removing it from a pocket. This also enables me to have the engaging surface of the retaining members shaped the same as the adjacent surface of the container thereby resulting in a more positive action than would otherwise be possible. At all positions except at the positions A and G, the retainers 42 remain in operative gripping engagement with the container or package.

As will be clear from if inspection of Figs. 2 and 3, therjiaft 55 carries. sprocket 54 which is driven by a chain 65 from a sprocket 86 secured to the jack shaft 81 driven by bevel gears 68 and 89 from the main drive shaft 10. The chain 65 is also trained over a. sprocket 1| on the shaft 12 which is supported by the brackets 35 Several parts of the mechanism are driven from the shaft 12 in a manner which will appear as the description proceeds.

One of the parts of the mechanism driven from the shaft 12 is the turret 81. This is accomplished through the intermediacy of a Geneva movement, the rotating disk 13 of which is secured to the shaft 12 and the wheel 14 of which is secured to the shaft 36. The operation of the Geneva movement will not be described as it is well understood in the art to which this invention pertains. It is sufficient to state that on each revolution of the shaft 12, the turret is advanced to bring each pocket to its next successive posi-' tion.

I shall now describe'the manner in which the containers are fed into the turret, and the manis placed about the container as it is being inserted into the pocket at the position A. This means is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7. Located just beneath the pocket at the position A is a table 15 and this table has an opening 16 therein, see Fig. 6, through which the container 4| may be moved upwardly into the pocket at the position A. The

containers 4| are moved from a position beneath 70 the table 15 to a position within the pocket at the position A by means of an elevator comprising an arm 11 which has spaced brackets 18 secured thereto at the upper end thereof, the brackets 18 having upwardly projecting pins 8|).

anemia 3 carries a roller I01 engaging within 'a suitable The arm 11 is carried by a block M which in turn is mounted on the upper end of a shaft 82 slidable in bearings 83 'on the bracket 84 secured to the web 3|. In order to prevent rotation of the block 8|, I provide a U-shaped guide 85 on the web 3! and a roller 86 rotatably mounted on the block 8i is guided within the guide 85 as the shaft 82 moves up and down. In order to move the elevator in a vertical direction, I provide an arm 81 secured to the shaft 88 which in turn is secured to a suitable bearing 89 (see Fig. 2) on the web 3i. An operating arm 90 also secured to the shaft 88 has a roller 9| cooperating with a cam groove in the cam 92 which is secured to the shaft 61 and rotates therewith. The arm 81 is connected by a link 81' to the block 8| so that upon rocking of the arm 81, the block 8| is reciprocated in a vertical direction.

A chute 93 U-shaped in cross-section is provided for containers and this is inclined downwardly toward the arm 11 and the endmost. one

at the right of the chute normally rests against the arm when the arm is in'its uppermost position. As the arm moves to its lowermost position, a container moves onto the end of the arm 11 between the brackets 18 as clearly indicated in Fig. 7. The upward movement of the arm 11 carries the container into engagement with a sheet of wrapping paper 94 which rests on the table 15; This sheetof wrapping paper is fed onto the table in any desired manner and in Fig. 2, I have represented diagrammatically a feeding member 95 which engages the sheet of wrapping material 94 and pushes it onto the table 15 after which rollers such as 96 may be used to feed the wrapping material. This part of the mechanism does not form a part of my invention, but should be a mechanism which will accurately feedthe wrappers onto thetable into a predetermined position so as to insure that the next operations on the wrapper will be proper, and that the package will be properly formed. The sheets of paper-may be formed from a continuous web associated with the machine, or may be blanks which are previously formed and fed to the machine in any desired manner. As the paper is moving into position on the table, glue is applied to one edge thereof by the glue applying roller indicated diagrammatically at 91 which picks up glue from a glue trough in any well known or desired manner. This glue applying roller extends through a slot (notshown) in the table and the upper surface thereof is just slightly higher than the surface of the table so that the glue will be properly applied thereto. Means may be provided for pressing the paper into engagement with the glue applying roller asit is fed into position.

Assuming that the paper has been properly fed on the'table 15, and located thereon, I shall now proceed to describe the manner in which the container is moved into the pocket at the, position A and the wrapper 94 partially wrapped about the q same. Positioned above the table 15 and having movement toward and from the surface thereof are pivoted presser members 98 pivoted at 99 to an arm I which is secured to a shaft [0! rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing H02, see Fig. 2, in the bracket 35. To the rear of the bracket 35 and secured to' the shaft I 0| is an arm I03, see Figs. 1 and 3, which is connected by a link I04 to a bell crank, one arm of-which is indicated by the reference character I and the other arm of which is indicated by the reference character I06, see Figs. 1 and 3. The end of the arm I06 cam groove in the cam I08. The cam groove is so designed as to periodically rock the bell crank and as a result move the arm I 00 up and down by means of the connections just described for a purpose which will. appear presently. As will be noted from an inspection of Figs. 5 and 6, the presser members 98 have a limited amount of pivotal movement with respect to the arm I 00. The pressure members 98 are provided with slots I09 through which pins I I0 on the arm I00 extend. There is a friction means to resist the movement of the presser members 90 with respect to the arm I00 and this means comprises friction washers III which surround the pins H0 and are spring pressed against the presser members 98 by springs H2 abutting against the washers III, and washers H3 surrounding the pins and held in place by cross-pins H4 or any other suitable manner. The presser members have laterally extending portions H5 provided with openings H6 for the reception of the pins 80 when the presser members 98 and laterally extending portions 19 on the brackets 18 are in. juxtaposition with respect to each other.

Now as the elevator 11 moves upwardly into the position shown in Fig. 9, the presser members 98 are in a position just contacting with the upper surface of the paper and pressing slightly against the same. The pins 80 pierce the paper and extend through the openings I I6. These pins hold the paper in proper juxtaposition with reference to the presser members so that the paper will occupy the proper position until it is inserted in the turret. With some types of paper, the pins are not necessary as the pressure between the presser members 98 is sufficient to hold the paper in proper alignment.

It will be noted from an inspection of Figs. 6 and -7 that the upper surfaces of the laterally extending portions 19 of the bracket 18 are curved substantially to the curvature of the article 4| and extend outwardly a distance suflicient to underlie the outer ends of the paper 94. Therefore, there is a continuous unbroken support for the center portion of the paper as the elevator 11 moves upwardly to bring the article 4| into engagement with the paper so that the paper will immediately start to fold along a line which is substantially.

in alignment with the cylindrical article 4|. If it were not for the extensions 19, the article 4| when moved against the paper might cause a folding of the paper-along the peripheral edges of the article and crease the same in a direction opposite to that desired. .It is not necessary that the extensions 19 extend inwardly into engagement with the article or in close proximity thereto as' the important feature is to have the outer edges thereof contacted by elements which are practically extensions of the surface of the article which first moves into engagement with the paper so that the paper begins to fold in the proper direction as the elevator 11 moves upwardly. Thus in the case Where the article to be wrapped is a bottle having a neck which is of reduced size from the body of the bottle, the upper surfaces of the extensions 19 will be substantially continuations of the body portion of the bottle, but

body of the bottle due to the neck portion thereof. With the cylindrical articles such as 4| shown in one of'them, at least will be spaced from the cent the article outwardly a distance sufficient to support the outer free edges of the paper in the relation with each other with manner which is clearly illustrated in the embodiment of the invention shown herein. It is not absolutely necessary that the upper surfaces of the extensions 19 be curved transversely in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6. It is suflicient if at least a line contact with the paper is provided substantially centrally of the article so as to cause the initial breaking of the paper in the proper direction instead of in a direction transversely thereto. This feature improves not only the appearance of the finished package but also insures that the mechanism for folding the protruding ends of the wrapper will function properly when they come into operation as hereinafter set forth.

The elevator then continues its upward movement, and the presser members move along with the elevator and container 4I carried thereby in such a manner as to maintain the presser member preferably in continuous contact with the paper. The pivotal movement of ,presser members 98 with respect to the arm I00 compensates for any slight difference in the speed of movement of the elevator 11 and of the arm I00. The continued upward movement of the elevator 11 carries the container and wrapper 94 into the pocket in the position A, and the sides of the pocket wrap the wrapper partially about the container with the free ends of the wrapper extending downwardly. At the time that the container is moving into the pocket at the position A,

the cam 55 becomes operative to move the re-- tainers 42 against the action of the springs 45 so that there is no resistance offered to the movement of the container and wrapper into the pocket. Immediately thereafter, however, the cam 55 becomes inoperative and as a result, the springs 45 move the retainers 42. toward and against the side of the container and hold the container and wrapper in the pocket. The elevator 11 and presser member then descend to their original positions, after the turret has moved, to pick up the next container and wrapper therefor, and move the same in a similar mannerin the next succeeding pocket to arrive at the position A. The next step in the process of wrapping the container is to wrap the free extending ends of the wrapper about the container and in overlapping the glued portion which is indicated by the reference character I I1 in Figs. 6, 9, and 10, between the overlapping portion of the ends of the wrapper. The means for accomplishing this result is best shown in Figs. 1, 9, 10, and 11. The first operation is to fold the downwardly extending portion of the wrapper which is at the right as the same is viewed in Fig. 1, or in Figs. 9 and 10, and this is accomplished by means of a substantially horizontally movable plate II8 which is carried by the end of a reciprocating support IIO carried by parallel arms I20 pivoted thereto at I2I. Arms I20 are secured to the shafts I22 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings I28 on the web 3|. The reciprocating movement is imparted to the support H9 by means of an arm I23 secured to the shaft I22 at the left in Fig. 1 which is rocked angularly by the cam I24 secured to the shaft 51 and hav ing a cam groove in which a roller I25 on the end of the arm I23 travels. See particularly Figs. 1 and 2.

,A'pair of rods I21 are slidably mounted in bearings I28 on the support H9, and their movement to the left is limited by the heads I29 on the rods I21, and the opposite ends of the rods carry a presser member I30 between which and the left hand one of the bearing I28 there are best illustrated in arranged the springs I3I surrounding the rods 1 I21 and abutting respectively against the presser member I30 and hearing member I28. The plate I I8 is not rigidly secured to H8 but has openings through which the pins I32 extend, the pins being surrounded by springs I33 abutting against the plate H8 and washer I34 whereby the plate I I8 is normally held in the position shown in Fig.

10 but is permitted to yield downwardly at the free end thereof so that when the plate H8 is moving the free end I35 of the wrapper about the container, it will yieldingly press the wrapper against the side of the container and stretch the wrapper about the container.

As the support moves to the left, the plate H8 and presser member I30 operate on the free end I35 of the wrapper to move the same into the position shown in Fig. 10. This is accomplished just prior to the movement of the container to the next successive position. In this position of the presser member I30,

the springs I3I are compressed and as the turret begins its movement in-a clockwise direction'to move the container to the next successive position, the springs I3I expand so as to maintain the presser member I30 always against the .wrapper to retainthewrapper in place as the turret revolves.

The base frame wardly extending bracket I38 and this bracket carries at its upper end a U-shaped folding member I31 which is shown in cross-section in Fig. 9, and comprises a base portion I38 standingportion I30. Fastened to folding member I31 is a curved extension I40. Extending through the opposite legs of the U-shaped portion I38 is a pin I4I which carries a pivoted fold ing member I42 spring pressed in a counter clockwise direction by a spring against the folding member I42 and base portion I38, the rotative movement being limited by a stop I44 engaging a tail-piece I45. In Fig. 10,

30 is provided with an up-' and an up-- I43 abutting the folelng member I42 is shown in its upperwhereas in Fig. 9, the folding its depressed position to stretched tightly abbut the periphery of-the container and as the turret. continues its movement, the free end portion carrying the glue is brought into overlapping relation with the other end portion and the pressure of the folding member I42 and curved extension I40 causes, to be adhered together.

the overlappin portions At about the time that the overlapping portions are brought into juxtaposition with'respect to each other, the plate. H8 and pressefmember I30 return to an inoperative position to the right of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1.

The partially wrapped container is'then carried to position C at which position, the-open ends of the container are closed by forming a plurality of folds inoverlapping relation with respect to each other at. each of the tubular ends. The mechanism for accomplishing this result is Figs. 1, 2,3, 4, 8, 12 to 14 inclusive, 16 to '18' inclusive, and 21. I shall first describe the operation of the means which forms the plurality of folds, and thereafter, I shall describe the means by which the parts of the folding mechanism are operated; The manner in which the folds are made is perhaps best illustrated by an inspection of Figs. 12 to 14 inclusive and .16 to 18 inclusive. when the con- I52 to which there are the opposite ends thereof. In Fig. 12, I have illustrated the tubular end portion which projects beyond the container by the reference character I46. Ashaft I41 is rigidly secured in a aring I48 in any desired manner and the axis thereof is substantially in alignment with the axis of the container at the position C. Rotatably mounted on this shaft is a sleeve I49 to which there' is secured a .gear I58 as by screws II and to which there is also secured a finger support pivoted the fingers I53 at I54. which are notched at I56, and have. beveled surfaces at I51. A spring I58 or rubber band surrounds all of the tail-pieces I55 and is arranged within the notches I56 formed therein so as to normally cause the forward ends of the fingers to be thrown, to the position shown in Fig. 12. In order to move the fingers against the action of the spring I58, I provide, a sliding-clutch element I59 which has a beveled surface cooperating withthe beveled surfaces I51. on the tailpieces I55 so that when the clutch element is shifted to the left, the forward ends of the fingers are thrown inwardly as indicated in Fig. 13. The clutch element carries a grooved collar I66, and a shifting arm I6I secured to a shaft I62 has a roller I63 which engages the groove in the collar I66 so as to enable the clutch element to be shifted while the clutch element is'rotating as well as while the clutch element is not rotating. A segmental gear which will presently be described meshes with the gear I50 to rotate the,

same in opposite directions, and thereby impart an oscillating movement to the sleeve I49. The clutch element I59 carries a plurality of parallel pins I64 which extend substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft I41 and slidably extend through guide openings in the finger support I52. The bearing I48 as will presently appear is shiftable bodily in a direction parallel to the shaft I41 to bring the parts into the position illustrated in Fig. 12 when. the partially wrapped container arrives at the position C, and to move the same clear of the path of movement of the extreme ends of the wrapper while the turret is moving so that the projecting end portions of the wrap- 'per will not engage the fingers I53 prior to the arrival of the container at the position'C.

Let us consider the action of this folding mechanism independently of the actuating means which is to be described later. The mechanism is first given a bodily movement to the rightto bring the parts into the position illustrated in Fig. 12. It is understood that in connection with the description of this mechanism that it applies to the folding mechanism at the left in Fig. 2, and that the same mechanism at the right in Fig. 2 operates in a similar manner except that the movements are somewhat reversed so as to operate on the other end of the container. However, the two mechanisms operate identically as far as the folding is concerned, and the description of one will be suflicient to describe both fold-ing mechanisms. will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 12, the pins I64 are arranged inside of the extending portion I46 and the fingers side of the same portion. After the parts arrive at the position indicated in Fig. 12, the

clutch element I59 is shifted to the left in the manner previously described, and this move- The fingers I 53, have tail-pieces I55 fold over a wardly, their ends will I53 are arranged outment causes the tail-pieces I55 on the fingers to move outwardly and the fingers to move inwardly to bring portions of the wrapper between adjacent pins I64 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18. This produces a series of longitudinally extending folds which I have indicated in Fig. 18 by the reference character I65. When the clutch element I59 moves to the left, it carries with it the pins I64 and retracts them to the position illustrated in Fig. 13, but the retraction does not take place until the folds have been formed to a certain extent, that extent being illustrated in Fig. 18. After the parts arrive at the position shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the fingers I53 continue their movement inwardly to move the folds closer together and to a position substantially tubular wrapper. This also narrows the folds and when the parts arrive at substantially the position illustrated in Fig, 13, a rotating movement is imparted to the gear I50 and this in turn causes the fingers I53 to rotate and in doing so, the folds I65 are brought into overlapping relation with each other, with a portion of each portion of the adjacent fold on one side and under an adjacent fold on the other. This novel arrangement of the folds whereby each at its inner endis arranged so that it in I part overlies the adjacent fold on one side and is 'an inspection of Fig. 20, is insured by the offset pivoted fingers I53. Referring be seen that the fingers are so they are pivoted radially inpass near but not through the central axis of the wrapper. As a result. the wrapper folds will be struck inwardly along lines which deviate slightly from true radial lines, thereby producing awrapper end fold having the novel characteristics as shown in Fig. 20. The novel wrapper itself forms the subject matter of my copending application; Serial No. 21,085, filed May 13, 1935, wherein claims to the wrapper article are presented. While the fingers 53 are being rotated, the bearing member I48 is carried to the right an additional amount until mounting of the to Fig. 14, it will disposed that as ,the fingers are substantially against the end of rotatcrease pracing mechanism to be hereinafter described, but before describing the same,

I shall proceed to describe the mechanism for actuating the folding mechanism which has just been described. This actuating mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, 8, 21,25, and 26. The bracket 33 has a substantially square extension I68 which extends laterally outward toward the front side of the machine as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4, 21, 25, and 26. On the forward side of this extension there is secured a bracket I69 which is bolted to the extension by the bolts I10, see Figs. 1 and 4. The bracket 33 has an outwardly and upwardly extending arm Ill and the centrally of the end of the to the center I66 of the upper end of this arm has a bearing I12 in which 7 the following manner.

a shaft I13 is rotatably mounted. The shaft I13 also rotates in the bearing I14 on the bracket 33 and the bearing I15 on the bracket I68. The shaft I13 is oscillated by the cam I16 secured to the shaft 61 through the following connections: (see Fig. 3) an arm I11 is pivoted to the shaft 88 and carries an extension I18 having a roller I18 on the end thereof operating within a cam groove I88 in the cam I16. To the shaft I13 is secured an arm I8I and this arm is connected by a link I82 to the end of the arm I11 so that as the arm I11 oscillates, the arm I8I will also oscillate, and as a result, an oscillating movement is imparted to the shaft I13. As will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 4 and 21, the bearings I48 are carried by their respective brackets I83 which in turn are arranged within recessed portions of the sliding blocks I84. This is also shown in Fig. 25.

The shaft I13 does not reciprocate but merely oscillates. A gear segment I81, see particularly Figs. 4, 8, and 21, meshes with the gear I58 and rotates on a bushing I86 which also extends through the bracket I83 to permit the bracket I83 and segment I81 to reciprocate along the shaft I13 while at the same time having rota- -tive movement thereabout. The rotative movethe gear segment I81 in The gear segment has a tail piece I88, see Figs. 1, 4, and 21. A pin I88 slides freely within a bearing at the end of the tail-piece and this pinin turn is threaded or otherwise secured at the end of the arm I88 which in turn is rigidly secured to the shaft I13 in any well known or desired manner. as the shaft I13 is oscillating, the pin I88 also oscillates, and as a result, the gear segment is oscillated to rotate the gear I58 for the purposes previously described. At the same time, longitudinal movement of the gear segment along the shaft I13 is permitted because of the sliding connection which the tail-piece I88 has with .the pin I88.

The blocks ment is imparted to I84 are reciprocated along the guide rod I81 which is supported by the bearings I85 and I82, in which the same is rigidly mounted. The blocks I84 move toward and from each other alternately to bring the folding mechanism into engagement with the opposite extending ends of the tubular wrapper due to the connection between the blocks and the shafts; I41 which comprises the brackets I83 rigidly secured to the blocks I84, and also rigidly clamped to the shafts I41. The block I84 at the left in Fig. 21, or Figs. 2 and 4 is reciprocated in the following manner. A link I82 is pivotally connected at I83 to the block and at I8 4 to an arm I85 pivoted at I86 on a bracket I81 secured to the base frame of the machine. The block I84 at the right is connected by a link I88 pivoted at. I88 to the block I84 and to a pivoted arm 288 at 28I, which arm in turn is pivoted at 282 to the bracket I81. The arm 288 is rocked about its pivot by the cam 283 shown best in Fig. 3 which has a cam groove therein in which a roller 284 on the end of the tail-piece 285 of the arm 288 travels, and a link 286 connects the arm 288 with a tail-piece 281 on the arm I85 so that the cam 283 rocks the arms I85 and 288 but in opposite directions as 'will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 2. Thus the blocks I84 are reciprocated simultaneously but in opposite directions by the connections which have Just been described, and for folding mechanisms with the tubular ends of into operative engagement the wrapper. While ing movement of the blocks.

.ing members so as to Therefore the purpose of bringing the the blocks reciprocate, the segmental gears'are rotated at least for a portion of the reciprocat- The segmental gears, as previously described, are not oscillated during the entire movement of the blocks I84 toward the tubular, wrapper but only duing the last part of the folding movement of the foldtwist the folds and arrange the same in overlapping-relation with each other.

I shall now describe the manner in which the clutch shifting arms I6I are operated to shift the clutch elements I58. As will be clear from an inspection of Figl 4, the shaft I62 which carries the clutch shifting arm I'6I at the left in Fig. 2 and at the bottom in Fig. 4, to the left of the machine and is mounted to rotate in the bearings 248 which are on the bracket I68. The other shaft ings 288 formed as a part of the bracket 33, see Figs. 2, 21, and 26. Each of the shafts I62 has secured thereto an arm 288 located at the left hand side. of the machine as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4. These arms 288 are connected by a link 2I8 pivoted at its ends to each of the arms. The arms 288 extend in opposite directions as will be clear from an inspection of Figs. 21 and 26 so that when one shaft I62 is rotated, the other shaft will also be rotated but in opposite directions. This is for the purpose of shifting the clutch members toward and away from each other simultaneously so that the opposite ends of the tubular wrapper will be operated upon simultaneously. In order to rock the shafts I62, I provide the following mechanism which is perhaps best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. In these figures, it will shifting link 2I2 reciprocates and in turn rocks the clutch I6I in such a manner as to opshifting elements I erate the fingers I53 on thefolding mechanism heretofore been dein the manner which has scribed.

,After the folding operation has been completed, the turret carriesthe container cessive position D, where the folds are creased. The creasing mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, '3, 4, 22, and 2 3, and essentially comprises a pair of disks 2" each of which is carried by its respective shaft 2I8 rotatably mounted in its bearing 2I8 and driven by a flexible belt 228 trained over a pulley 22I on the shaft 2I8 and a pulley 222 on the by means of a. chain 224 trained over suitable sprockets 225 and 226 on the shafts 223 and 12 respectively. -As previously set forth, the chain 65 drives the shaft 12 continuously from the shaft 61 and as a result, the disks rotate continuously in the direction of the arrows shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The bearing members 2I8 are secured to the reciprocating blocks I84 and the shafts 2I8 therefore are caused to reciprocate in unison with the blocks I84 to periodically'bring the disks 2I1 against the folds over the ends of the container when the container is at the posiin turn pivotally conto the next 5110- shaft 223 driven nal movement in the bearing members 2I9 between the hubs of the pulleys 22! and collars 22! secured to the shafts 2I8. The rotation of the disks 2! l is in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l as indicated by the arrows on the pulley 222, and it will be noted from an inspection of the folds on the end of the container located at the positions E, F, and G, in Fig. 1 that the overlapping portions thereof extend also in a counter-clockwise direction so that the rotation of the disks does not disturb the overlapping portions but merely creases the folds due to the pressure exerted by the disks against the folds.

While the containers are at the position 0, there is a tendency for the containers to be rotated while the folds are being produced, and particularly during the time when the fingers are rotating to bring the folds into overlapping relation with each other. It is very important that the containers do not rotate during this operation as the folds will not be properly formed, it being obvious that the rotation of the container at the time the folds are being made would prevent the folds from being brought into overlapping relation. Therefore, I provide a suitable braking mechanism for preventing the rotation of the container at this position, and this mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 24. The brake is a simple friction block 228 secured to the end of a lever 229 which is in turn secured to a shaft 230 rotatably mounted in the bearing members 23! which in turn are secured by bolts 232 to the bottom of ahorizontally extending bracket 233 secured to the upper side of the bracket 33 as is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 21 and 25. The shaft 233 extends beyond the bearing 23! at the right in Fig. 2 and to the extending portion thereof is secured an arm 234, and this arm is used for rocking the shaft 230 for the purpose of bringing the friction brake 228 into engagement with the wrapped container. The means for rocking-the arm 234 is best illustrated-in Figs. 2 and 3. The end of the shaft carries a rotating disk 235 having a link 236 pivotally connected thereto at 237. The link extends substantially horizontally and has a collar 23B secured to the end thereof. It also has a fixed collar 239 secured thereto and the link itself extends through an opening 240 in the end of the arm 234. The collar 239 is adapted to engage the left hand side of the arm 234 to move it to the rightas viewed in Fig. 3 and there is another collar 24! slidably mounted on the link 236 for engaging the other side of the arm 234, the latter being yieldingly pressed against the arm 234 by a spring 242 interposed between the collar 24! and collar 238. As the disk235 rotates, the link is reciprocated and during its travel to the right as viewed in Fig. 3, the arm is rotated with a yielding pressure to bring the friction brake 228 into engagement with the wrapped container, and as soon as the brake engagesthe wrapped container, the arm 234 stops its rotative movement but there is a further movement of the link 236 which operates to increase the yielding pressure of the friction brake 228 against the wrapped container, sincethe slid able collar 24! is stopped by the arm 234 and compresses the spring 242.

The container then rotates through the positions E and F to the position G where it'is ejected from the turret. The means for ejecting the. wrapped containers from the turret is shown in Fig. 10, and as same to adhere to each perhaps best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The ejector 243 is secured to a horizontally extending bar 244 and has the upper end thereof curved somewhat to the shape of the wrapped container and is adapted to reciprocate in a substantially horizontal direction to push the wrapped container out of the pocket located at'the position G and move it into the trough- 48, the retainer 42 being released during this operation in the the cam 55 and to the arm 245 at the right as viewed in Fig. 1.

I shall now briefly describe the operation ofv the entire machine. The paper 84 is fed onto the table I by the feeding member 95 and the containers 1011 down the chute 93 into a position beneath the table and in alignment with the opening 16 therein. The elevator 11 then moves upwardly to move the container and the paper wrapper 9d into the pocket located at the position A, the wrapper being held in juxtaposition with respect to the container by the prongs 80 extending. through the wrapper, and the openings I IS in the manner previously described. After the container and wrapper have beenmoved into the pocket at the position A, the mechanism shown in Figs. 9, l0, and 11 becomes operative and by means of the folding plate H8 and presser member I30, the end I35 of the wrapper is folded about the container to the position the turret rotates to bring the container to the positionB, the upper side of the presser member I 42 operates on the glued edge of the wrapper to move the same about the container and to lap the same over the end I 35, at the same time pressing the opposed-edges of the container against other wrapper about the container. tension I40 also assists in sealing edges to each other as the turret When the container arrives at the position to form a tubular The spring exthe overlapping rotates.

C, the folding mechanism becomes operative. The first movement of the folding mechanism brings the fingers I 53, .see particularly Fig. 12, into a position outside of the extending portion I 46 of the tubular wrapper and I the fingers I64 on the inside of this same extend! ing portion. The fingers thereafter are caused to move inwardly toward each other byv the clutch the tail-pieces I55 and to move the fingers I53 the longitudinal folds into a substantially radial position over theehf of the container and in overlapping relation Wit respect to each other with the result that" the folds interlock and are thereafter preve ted from unfolding. The turret then rotate s 0 bring the with its tubular wrapper' each other to cause the ment with the folds at the end of the container and press the same to crease the folds and thus insure the proper interlocking of the folds and throughthe positions containers move into to prevent the folds from moving out of operative position due to the natural resiliencey of the paper when the folds are not creased. The turret then rotates to move the wrapped containers E and F to the position G where the ejector 243, carried by the bar 2, is

moved to the right (in Fig. 1) by the rotating cam 55 and the operative connections between that cam and the reciprocating bar 2. The the trough 48 and any suitable means may be provided for removing the containers from the trough or the same may be removed by hand. This means, however, is not material to the present invention and is not 0 herein described.

25 tlon, and therefore Obviously those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various changes in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of this inven- I do not'wish to be limited except as hereinafter set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters 30 Patent is:

35 nism, means for moving said wrapper about an article when the latter arrives at said position, with equal portions thereof protruding beyond opposite ends of said article, means for sealing opposite sides of the wrapper together about the 40 article, and means for folding the extending end portions of said wrapper to substantially entirely enclose said article comprising two sets of fingers at each end of said article, the one set at each end engaging the inner side of the wrapper, and

5 the other set engaging the outer side of the wrap- .per, means for moving the outer set inwardly toward the inner set to produce folds in said extending portions, means for withdrawing the inner set'from the wrapper and means for there 5 after moving said folds against the ends of said article.

2. In a wrapping machine, the combination with a conveyer for moving a series of articles to wrapping mechanism, of wrapper aligning 55 means located at a position adjacent said mechanism, means for moving said wrapper about an article when the latter arrives at said position with equal portions thereof protruding beyond opposite ends of said article, means for sealing 0 opposite sides of the wrapper together about the article, and means for folding the extending end portions of said wrapper to'substantially entirely enclose said article comprising two sets of fingers at each end of said article, the one set at each end engaging the inner side of the wrapper, and the other setengaging the outer side of the wrapper, means for moving each outer set inwardly toward its corresponding inner set to produce folds in said extending portions, means for moving said sets at one end'relative to the sets at t other in a direction at a substantial angle to' v the aid movement of the said outer sets to bring 75 an adjacent portionspf each fold over portions of an adjacent fold on on radial side and another portion of old on the other side, the inner sets of from said article, and said outer sets continuing their aforesaid movement relative to said inner sets to move said folds flatly against each other and against the ends of said article.

3. A wrapping machine as set forth in claim 2 in which said folds are creased against the ends of said articles by two similar rotating means, each moving toward and against an opposite end of said article and each having a surface substantially co-mating with the adjacent end of said article whereby the folds are pressed firmly against the end of said article and creased to hold the same in position.

4. Means for folding the open cylindrical end of a wrapper over the end of an article comprising a circular inner row of fingers and a circular outer row of fingers, means for moving said rows respectively against the inner and outer surfaces of said extending portion and relatively'toward each other to produce longitudinal folds, means for rotating said rows to bring a portion of each fold under an'adjacent fold on one side thereof and over an adjacent fold on the otherslde thereof and means to retract said inner row while leaving the outer row in engagement with the wrapper.

5. Means for folding the open. cylindrical end of a wrapper over the end of an article comprising a circular inner row of fingers and a circular outer row of fingers, means for moving said rows respectively against the inner and outer surfaces of said extending portion and relatively toward each other to produce longitudinal folds, means for rotating said rows to bring a portion of each fold under an adjacent and over an adjacent fold on the other side therefold on one'side thereof of, means to retract said inner row while leavin tially radially.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 in which a means subsequently engages said folds and creases the same.

'7. A device as set forth in claim 5 in which'a means subsequently engages said folds and rotates while in wiping contact therewith to press the folds together and crease the same.

8. A device as set forth in claim 5 in which all the folds overlap in the same direction and in which a means is provided for engaging all of the folds simultaneously to crease the same, and in which said last mentioned meansrotates while in engagement with said folds in the direction in which the overlapping portions of said -folds extend. I

9. A wrapping machine comprising an article conveyer having pockets, means for moving a series of wrappers into a predetermined position adjacent the path of travel of said pockets and opposite to the open sides of said pockets when at said position, means for applying glue to said wrapper along one edge thereof as said wrapper moves to said position, article to a position adjacent said wrapper on the side thereof opposite the side on which said means for feeding an conveyer moves, and for simultaneously moving said article against said wrapper into said pocket and for restraining each wrapper to move along a predetermined fixed path during this operation,

. ends of the article, and means for producing longitudinal folds in said extending portions and for folding the same in overlapping relation with respect to each other against the end of said article.

10. A wrapping machine comprising an article conveyer having pockets, means for moving a series of wrappers into a predetermined position adjacent the path of travel of said pockets and opposite to the open sides of said pockets when at said position, means forapplying glue to said wrapper along one edge thereof as said wrapper moves to said position, means for feeding an article to a position adjacent said wrapper on the side thereof opposite the side on which said conveyer moves, and for simultaneously moving said article against said wrapper into said pocket while restraining each wrapper to move along a predetermined fixed path during this operation whereby the same is always properly positioned with respect to said article and pocket when said article is moved fully into said pocket, and whereby the wrapper is always in the proper position for the subsequent folding operation, and means for moving the glued edge of said wrapper into overlapping engagement'withthe opposite edge of said wrapper with the glue lying between said overlapping edges after said article is moved into said pocket, comprising two sets of fingers at each end of said article, the one set at each end engaging the inner side of the wrapper, and the other set engaging the outer side of the wrapper, means for moving the outer set inwardly toward the inner set to produce folds in said extending portions, and means for thereafter moving said folds against the ends article.

11.'A wrapping machine comprising an article conveyer having pockets, means for moving a series of wrappers into a predetermined position adjacent the path of travel of said pockets and opposite to the open sides of said pockets when at said position, means for applying glue to said wrapper along one edge thereof as said wrapper moves to said position, means for feeding an article to a position adjacent said wrapper on the side thereof opposite the side on which said conveyer moves, and for simultaneously moving said article against said wrapper into said pocket while restraining each wrapper to move along a predetermined fixed path during this operation whereby the same is always properly positioned with respect to said article and pocket when said article is moved fully into said pocket, and whereby the wrapper is always in the proper position for the subsequent folding operation, and means for moving the glued edge of said wrapper into overlapping engagement with the opposite edge of said wrapper with the glue lying between said overlapping edges after said article is moved into said pocket, comprising two sets of fingers at each end of said article, the one set at each end engaging the inner side of the wrapper, and the other set engaging the outer side of the wrapper, means for moving the outer set inwardly toward the inner set to pro.- duce folds in said extending portions, means for of said moving said sets relative to each other in a direction at a substantial angle to the said movement of said outer set to bring portions of each fold over portions of an adjacent fold on one side and under an adjacent fold on the other, means for moving all of said folds against the ends of said article, and means for creasing the folds to prevent the unfolding thereof and to hold the same in overlapping relation with each other.

12. Means for closing the open tubular end of a wrapper comprising a plurality of fingers extending substantially parallel to the axis of said open end but movable inwardly toward each other and longitudinally of said axis, of means for moving said fingers toward said wrapper and for rotating said fingers with the additional means withdrawn to move said folded portions into overlapping relation with each other and into a plane substantially perpendicular to said axis.

13. In a wrapping machine, means for engaging an article with a wrapper, means for moving the wrapper about the article, means operable as the wrapper engages the article and while the wrapper is being moved about the article for holding a portion of the wrapper in fixed position with respect to the article, said holding means having provisions for perforating the wrapper to positively hold it in position.

14. In a wrapping machine, means for engaging an article with a wrapper, means for moving ing the wrapper about the article and for moving the wrapper and article as a unit, and means cooperable with the article moving means operable as the wrapper engages the article for holding a portion of the wrapper in fixed position with respect to the article as the wrapper and article are moved, said holding means having provisions for perforating the wrapper and having independent actuating means but being movably connected with its actuating means so that it conforms to variations in the movement of the article.

15. In a wrapping machine, a movable conveyor for an article, means for moving a wrapper about the article comprising a member engageable with the wrapper and movable thereafter into position adjacent the article, said member being resiliently urged against the article to maintain a fixed position with respect thereto and to maintain the wrapper in position. thereon as the article moves with the conveyor.

16. In a wrapping machine, a movable conveyor for an article and wrapper, means for moving the wrapper about the article comprising a member engageable with the wrapper and movable thereafter into position adjacent the article, said member being resiliently urged against the article to maintain a fixed position with respect thereto and to maintain the wrapper in position thereon as the article moves on a conveyor, and a member engaged by the article and wrapper as the conveyor moves for wrapping another end of the wrapper about the article, said latter member being inarranged members and conform to the configuration of the article as the article is moved. 4

17. In a wrapping machine, means for folding a wrapper comprising a plurality of fingers radially arranged around a central support member, and means for moving each finger toward the axis of the support member in a plane passing near but not through the axis of the support member.

18. In .a folding mechanism, means for folding a wrapper comprising a support rotatable about an axis and movable axially toward and away from the wrapper, folding members mounted on said support for movement relative thereto in a direction radially inward toward the axis of the support and away from the wrapper.

19. In a folding mechanism, a wrapper comprising two sets of rigid circumferentially arranged members for engaging the inner and outer surfaces respectively of the wrapper, said sets of members being relatively movable radially and axially.

20. In a folding mechanism, means for folding a wrapper comprising a set of circumferentially disposed pivotal wrapper engaging members, resilient means circumferentially encircling said members to yieldingly urge them in one direction, and cam means for moving the. members in opposition to said resilient means.

21. In a folding mechanism, means for folding a wrapper comprising two sets of circumferentially for engaging the inner and outer surfaces respectively of the wrapper, and a single cam member for simultaneously moving said sets of members relatively radially and axially.

22. In a folding mechanism, means for folding a wrapper comprising two sets of circumferentially disposed wrapper engaging members, a support upon which one set of members is pivoted and through which the other set is axially movable.

23. In a folding mechanism, means for creasing the folded portions of a wrapper comprising a rotatable disk engageable with the folded portions, and means to apply a yieldingly increasing pressure to the disk against the folded portions.

24. In a folding machine, means for folding a wrapper comprising two sets of circumferentially arranged members, said members being relatively axially and radially movable, means for bringing the sets of members into operative position for engagement with the inner and outer surfaces respectively of the wrapper, and means for moving one set of members axially and the other set radially while the members are in operative position.

25. In a folding machine, means for folding a wrapper comprising two sets of circumferentially arranged members, said members being relatively axially and radially movable, means for bringing the sets of members into operative means for folding position for engagement with the inner and outer surfaces respectively of the wrapper, and means for moving one set of members axially and the other set radially while the members are in operative position, said moving means comprising a cam to which the one set of members is secured and with which the other set is engageable.

26. In a folding machine, means for folding a wrapper comprising outer and inner sets of members circumferentially arranged about an axis and engageable respectively with the outer and inner surfaces of the wrapper, and means for moving each member of said outer set of members toward said axis in a plane passing near but not through the axis.

27. In a wrapping machine, means for folding a tubular wrapper end into a plurality of radial overlapping folds comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged folding fingers, and

-means for moving said fingers toward and away from the wrapper axis along lines of movementuniformly displaced from true radial lines.

28. In a wrapping machine, means for folding a tubular wrapping end into a plurality of radial overlapping folds comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged folding fingers, and means for moving said fingers along generally radial lines with respect to the wrapper axis but deviating therefrom at the axis of the wrapper whereby to arrange the folds with a portion of the inner end edge of each fold underan adjacent fold.

29. In a folding mechanism, means for folding a tubular wrapper end comprising a support rotatable about the wrapper axis and movable axlally toward and away from the wrapper end, and circumferentially arranged folding members pivotally mounted on said support for movement thereon relative thereto in a direction radially inward toward the axis of the wrapper and away from the wrapper end. 7

30. In a folding mechanism, means for fold! a tubular wrapper end comprising two sets of circumferentlally arranged relatively radially movable members for engaging the inner and outer surfaces respectively of the wrapper, and means for supporting each of said sets of members, said support means being relatively movable axially.

31. In a folding machine, means for folding a wrapper comprising two sets of circumferentially arranged members, said members being relatively axially and radially movable, means for bringing the sets of members into an operative position for mCHAEL J. Min/10E. 

